I've been working as the Social Media Editor and a staff writer at Forbes since October 2011. Prior to that, I worked as a freelance writer and contributor here. On this blog, I focus on futurism, cutting edge technology, and breaking research. Follow me on Twitter - @thealexknapp. You can email me at aknapp@forbes.com

SpaceX Billionaire Elon Musk Wants A Martian Colony Of 80,000 People

Earlier this month, SpaceX CEO and Chief Designer Elon Musk unveiled his plans for Mars: a colony of over 80,000 people.

On November 16, SpaceX CEO Elon Muskgave a talk before the Royal Aeronautical Society. And at that talk, he announced what his eventual goal is for SpaceX: a Martian colony with over 80,000 people.

“At Mars, you can start a self-sustaining civilization and grow it into something really big,” he reportedly told the crowd.

The colony would start with just a small group of people, armed with supplies including materials to build a transparent dome, which could be pressurized so that Martian pioneers could farm on Martian soil. (Thankfully, radiation isn’t a worry, as Mars’ atmosphere was recently revealed by NASA to shield radiation to the point where humans can survive on the surface.

Space.com contributor Rob Coppinger has many more details about Musk’s plans, so I’ll simply refer you to his excellent reporting if you want to know more.

Suffice to say, however, a trip to Mars is still many years away, but Musk thinks that the colony – which he views as a joint venture between the private sector and the government – would cost about $36 billion to get going. Musk strongly desires to get the costs to go to Mars down to the point where a person could buy a ticket for $500,000.

Right now, though, there’s still a technological development left to do. While SpaceX has successfully made two trips to the International Space Station with its Dragon capsule, the company still hasn’t sent a human being into space. And the rocket that would go to Mars is still at least a technological generation away.

Still, I’ve absolutely no doubt that Musk is sincere in his desire to get to Mars, even if he doesn’t get much of a return on his investment. As he told me earlier this year when I interviewed him, “This is not the path to go to maximize riches. It’s a terrible risk adjusted return. But it’s gotta happen. I think that for me and a lot of people, America is a nation of explorers. I’d like to see that we’re expanding the frontier and moving things forward. Space is the final frontier and we have to make progress.”

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I like Elon Musk, and I’d hate to say I don’t think his visions will come true in his life time… But we just might see won’t we. I know I wouldnt wanna go to mars lol, too much dust and rocks, certainly not the Ritz.

This the craziest dream by a guy who may have too much time and money to waste. But wait, Musk wants the Government to join him in his hallucination…!

Can Musk’s cheerleaders at Forbes convince this dreamer to spend some of his “excess” talents, time and money on solving the many health, hunger and shelter needs of billions humans right here on Earth – or better yet contribute to Bill Gates’ more noble endeavors….?

Seriously, what the f#$% is up with idiots like you who assume that space is a waste of time. It’s how technology advances and F.Y.I it’s how a lot of modern appliances you use (taken for granted) are made and expanded upon.

“Save the children! Save the poor! Food and Shelter! Why waste money on human advancement!” What have YOU done? Instead of b!itching in your computer like an ignorant retard toward “wasted” scientific endeavors, (Let me guess, you think a giant percent of the American people’s taxes are wasted on science? Look at the over-inflated military and defense budget you moron…) why not actually help out with the disease, poor and hunger in the world? Do you honestly believe that all of these problems can be solved magically? LOL

Let me extend your point just a bit further. He seems to be against the government joining Musks endeavor, but presumes his own right to tell Musk what to do with his money. What a buffoon.

Anyway, our constitution blessedly gives congress the power to apportion money for the “useful arts”, which was an eighteenth century way to say ‘Scientific Research”.

I think we should all be glad Musk is willing to throw his money, with low hope of return, on such aspirational dreams. Should we be wary and watchful of how much taxpayer money is sunk into such efforts? Of course- but that doesn’t mean the proper amount of federal spending is zero.

Also, to counter one point you made, Master Chief- while I agree our military and defense budgets are thoroughly over-inflated, remember that defense technology also makes its way down to the general welfare.

I agree with you j. The Master WeTodd is obviously bereft of common sense.

Mars is known to be a barren wasteland further away from the sun than the Earth. It is amazing what some people with too much time & money find viable. Paul Allen & Willy Gates are equally as stupid. I’ve seen them, they stick their retarded noses in the air like that’s all they need to know how to do. But, it’s their life.

Hey Uncle Same has already given at least 1.6 billion of our dollars, so it doesnt matter if they get there or not. And big whoop if they do. One small step for man doesnt look like a giant leap for mankind to pay the bill. A bill that most people in reality dont want to pay. That doesnt make them ignorant; it makes them human. Instead of making a life boat for those that can afford it, why not save those of us that are left behind? Besides, by the time that ship arrives I will have already been there, and many other places as well.

Hey Uncle Same has already given at least 1.6 billion of our dollars, so it doesnt matter if they get there or not. And big whoop if they do. One small step for man doesnt look like a giant leap for mankind other than we are paying the bill. A bill that most people in reality dont want to pay. That doesnt make them ignorant; it makes them human. Instead of making a life boat for rich, why not save those of us that are left behind? Besides, by the time that ship arrives I will have already been there, and many other places as well.